ABEKAKIS OF BÉCANCOUR.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC,
ABENAKIS OF BÉCANCOUR,
BÉCANCOUR, 30th July, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa,

SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report, accompanied by tabular statement, for the year ended the 30th June, 1896.

Agency. - This agency comprises only the one reserve of Bécancour, in the county of Nicolet.

Area. - This reserve contains an area of one hundred and seventy-five acres.

Tribe. - The Bécancour Band of Indians is part of the Abenakis tribe.

Vital Statistics. - This band is composed of fifty-four members: twenty-one men and thirty-three women. In addition to these, there are seven children. This year there was only one death, and no birth. The band has not undergone any change through either emigration or immigration.

Health and Sanitary Condition. - Most of the Indians have enjoyed good health, and the sanitary conditions under which they live are good. All the members of the band have been vaccinated.

Occupation. - Ten of these Indians cultivate the soil; the greater number make baskets and other articles of a similar nature; two followed the chase and two others acted as guides to American tourists.

Houses and Furniture. - The houses and furniture are not what might be desired. The same may be said of the premises. These Indians do not make any improvements.

Education. - Of the ten children of an age to attend school only eight are entered on the roll. There is but one school, conducted by a teacher holding an elementary school certificate. The course of studies followed is that of the public schools of the province of Quebec. The discipline is good and progress satisfactory. The parents do not take sufficient interest in the education of their children.

Religion. - All the members of this band are Roman Catholics; but, having neither church nor missionary, they attend the parish church at Bécancour. Some of them, however, are very neglectful in this respect.

Characteristics and Progress. - As a rule the Indians are fairly industrious; but, owing, to their improvidence, they are for the most part poor, even very poor.

Temperance and Morality. - The members of this band are more temperate than formerly, and their morality is good.

I have, & c.,
H. DESILETS,
Indian Agent.